Pull cord for exercising device

ABSTRACT

A pull cord for an exercising device includes an elastic cord body, and an outer layer mounted on an outer surface of the cord body. Thus, the outer layer is formed by the knitting yarns which are knitted onto and enclosed around the outer surface of the cord body so as to protect the cord body efficiently, so that the cord body does not directly contact a user&#39;s hands, thereby preventing the cord body from being worn out, and thereby enhancing the lifetime of the cord body. In addition, when the cord body is broken due to tensile action during a long-term utilization, the broken cord body is enclosed in the outer layer, thereby preventing the broken cord body from hurting the user&#39;s body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a pull cord, and more particularly to a pull cord for an exercising device, such as a chest expander or the like.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional exercising device, such as a chest expander 1, in accordance with the prior art shown in FIG. 9 comprises an elastic pull cord 12, and two handles 11. However, the outer surface of the elastic pull cord 12 directly contacts a user's hands, so that the outer surface of the elastic pull cord 12 is easily worn out due to rubbing, thereby decreasing the lifetime of the elastic pull cord 12. In addition, when the elastic pull cord 12 is broken due to tensile action during a long-term utilization, the broken elastic pull cord 12 is easily sprung outward to a user's body, thereby causing danger to the user. Further, the elastic pull cord 12 has a single color, thereby decreasing the outer appearance of the exercising device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a pull cord, comprising an elastic cord body; and an outer layer mounted on an outer surface of the cord body.

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a pull cord having a protective outer layer to protect the pull cord.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a pull cord for an exercising device, wherein the outer layer is formed by the knitting yarns which are knitted onto and enclosed around the outer surface of the cord body by the latch needles so as to protect the cord body efficiently, so that the cord body does not directly contact a user's hands, thereby preventing the cord body from being worn out due to friction, and thereby enhancing the lifetime of the cord body.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a pull cord for an exercising device, wherein when the cord body is broken due to tensile action during a long-term utilization, the broken cord body is enclosed in the outer layer, thereby preventing the broken cord body from hurting the user's body.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a pull cord for an exercising device, wherein the outer layer is formed by the knitting yarns having different colors, thereby enhancing the outer appearance of the pull cord.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a pull cord for an exercising device, wherein the outer layer has a smooth outer surface, thereby providing a comfortable sensation to the user when touching the outer layer.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercising device in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan cross-sectional view of the exercising device taken along line 2-2 as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a knitting machine in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the knitting machine as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the knitting machine as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged exploded perspective view of upper socket and lower socket of the knitting machine as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the upper socket and lower socket of the knitting machine as shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of knitting yams of the knitting machine as shown in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a conventional exercising device in accordance with the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exercising device, such as a chest expander 2, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a pull cord 20, and two handles 21.

The pull cord 20 includes an elastic cord body 22, and an outer layer 24 mounted on an outer surface of the cord body 22. The outer surface of the cord body 22 has a whole length that is enclosed by the outer layer 24 completely and closely. The outer layer 24 is formed by a plurality of knitting yarns 50 (see FIG. 8) which are knitted onto and enclosed around the outer surface of the cord body 22 by a cylinder type knitting machine 40. Preferably, the knitting yarns 50 have different colors. The outer layer 24 has a smooth outer surface 240.

Referring to FIGS. 3-8 with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the knitting machine 40 includes a fixing seat 41, a cylindrical needle spool 42 mounted on the fixing seat 41, a plurality of latch needles 421 each mounted on the needle spool 42 and each having a distal end provided with a hook 422, a first cam 43 mounted on the needle spool 42 and rested on the fixing seat 41, a lower socket 44 mounted on the needle spool 42 and rested on the first cam 43, an upper socket 45 mounted on the needle spool 42 and rested on the lower socket 44, a housing 46 mounted on the upper socket 45 and the lower socket 44 and rested on the first cam 43, and a plurality of yarn guide units 47 mounted on an outer wall of the housing 46.

The upper socket 45 and the lower socket 44 have a connection formed with corrugated slopes 451 and 441 matching each other. The number of corrugated slopes 451 and 441 of the upper socket 45 and the lower socket 44 is corresponding to that of the knitting yarns 50.

The housing 46 is locked on the lower socket 44 by locking screws 461. The housing 46 has a bottom formed with a second cam 462 rested on the first cam 43, and a drive belt (not shown) is mounted on the second cam 462 of the housing 46 and driven by a motor (not shown) to drive and rotate the housing 46, so that the upper socket 45 and the lower socket 44 are rotated, and the hook 422 of each of the latch needles 421 is driven by the upper socket 45 and the lower socket 44 to move upward and downward.

Each of the yarn guide units 47 includes a substantially L-shaped support arm 471 having a first section secured on the outer wall of the housing 46 by screws 474, a support rack 472 mounted on a second section of the support arm 471 for supporting the knitting yams 50, a guide rack 475 having a lower portion secured between the outer wall of the housing 46 and the first section of the support arm 471 by the screws 474 and an upper portion formed with a guide hole 476, and a positioning hook 477 having a first end pivotally mounted on the upper portion of the guide rack 475 and a second end hooked on the knitting yarns 50.

In operation, the cord body 22 is placed on the knitting machine 40. Then, the knitting yarns 50 placed on the support rack 472 of each of the yarn guide units 47 are hooked by the latch needles 421. When the housing 46 is rotated through a circle, the guide rack 475 and the support rack 472 are also rotated through a circle, so that the latch needles 421 hooking the knitting yarns 50 are also rotated through a circle. At this time, the latch needles 421 are driven by the corrugated slopes 451 and 441 of the upper socket 45 and the lower socket 44 to move upward and downward, so that the knitting yarns 50 are knitted on the cord body 22 by the latch needles 421 when the latch needles 421 are rotated through a circle, thereby forming the outer layer 24 on the outer surface of the cord body 22.

Accordingly, the outer layer 24 is formed by the knitting yarns 50 which are knitted onto and enclosed around the outer surface of the cord body 22 by the latch needles 421 so as to protect the cord body 22 efficiently, so that the cord body 22 does not directly contact a user's hands, thereby preventing the cord body 22 from being worn out due to friction, and thereby enhancing the lifetime of the cord body 22. In addition, when the cord body 22 is broken due to tensile action during a long-term utilization, the broken cord body 22 is enclosed in the outer layer 24, thereby preventing the broken cord body 22 from hurting the user's body. Further, the outer layer 24 is formed by the knitting yarns 50 having different colors, thereby enhancing the outer appearance of the pull cord. Further, the outer layer 24 has a smooth outer surface 240, thereby providing a comfortable sensation to the user when touching the outer layer 24.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention. 

1. A pull cord, comprising: an elastic cord body; an outer layer mounted on an outer surface of the cord body.
 2. The pull cord in accordance with claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the cord body has a whole length that is enclosed by the outer layer completely and closely.
 3. The pull cord in accordance with claim 1, wherein the outer layer is formed by a plurality of knitting yarns.
 4. The pull cord in accordance with claim 3, wherein the knitting yarns are knitted onto and enclosed around the outer surface of the cord body by a cylinder type knitting machine.
 5. The pull cord in accordance with claim 3, wherein the knitting yarns have different colors.
 6. The pull cord in accordance with claim 4, wherein the knitting machine includes a lower socket, an upper socket mounted on the lower socket, and a plurality of latch needles each mounted on the upper socket and the lower socket to move upward and downward therewith.
 7. The pull cord in accordance with claim 6, wherein the upper socket and the lower socket have a connection formed with corrugated slopes matching each other, so that each of the latch needles is moved upward and downward with the corrugated slopes of the upper socket and the lower socket.
 8. The pull cord in accordance with claim 7, wherein the corrugated slopes of the upper socket and the lower socket have a number corresponding to that of the knitting yams.
 9. The pull cord in accordance with claim 6, wherein the knitting yams are knitted onto and enclosed around the outer surface of the cord body by the latch needles so as to protect the cord body.
 10. The pull cord in accordance with claim 1, wherein when the cord body is broken due to tensile action, the broken cord body is enclosed in the outer layer, thereby preventing the broken cord body from hurting a user's body.
 11. The pull cord in accordance with claim 1, wherein the outer layer has a smooth outer surface. 